About the All Abilities JobMatch Showase

Our All Abilities JobMatch Showcase explored what real disability inclusion looks like in the workplace.

The Showcase was on Thursday 4 September. If you missed out you can watch the videos below to hear from people with disability, employers, and employment organisations about:

Real-life examples of disability-inclusive employment in practice.
Supports that were available for disability in the workplace.
The benefits of collaborating with people with disability to enhance workplaces.
How organisations improved their disability confidence to effectively recruit and hire people with disability.

Acknowledgments:

All Abilities JobMatch is a partnership between QDN, uLaunch and the University of the Sunshine Coast. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

Speaker

Dr Sharon Boyce, Chairperson, QDN
Dr Sharon Boyce is an educator, author, speaker and disability advocate, focused on disability awareness across Queensland. She is passionate and committed to social justice – empowering people with disability and supporting real living independence. In addition to her role as QDN Chairperson, Sharon is the Chair of the Queensland Disability Advisory Council (Queensland Government) and Advisor to the Queensland Minister for Seniors and Disability Services.

She is an appointed member of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Independent Advisory Council Board, President of the Physical Disability Australia Board, and advisor to the Toowoomba Regional Council’s Access Committee. She is the Director of the Australian Institute of Inclusive Education and Research, Director of the Disability Training Institute and Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aus Inclusion Pty Ltd. In 2020 she was awarded a Doctor of Letters for her research in education inclusion and dyslexia, and she is currently completing a Doctor of Philosophy.

Among the awards she has received are the Queensland Regional Achiever Award in 2012 for her work in awareness, raising and creating inclusive communities across Australia, a Human Rights Award in 2008 for her contribution to creating inclusion across the community, and a Disability Action Week Award in 2003 for her work writing an accessible children’s story book.

Speaker

Xell Oliver-Frauca, General Manager, Inclusive Employment Services, AKG
At the beginning of Xell’s career in disability services, she met a single mother and her daughter. The young girl was drawing a hospital, and the mother explained: “She likes this stuff, I only hope she marries a doctor.”

To which Xell responded: “Let’s aim for her to become the doctor!”

Xell is passionate about making a real difference in the community. She thrives on helping people grow, challenging their limits, and realising their true potential. She particularly loves seeing others achieve what they once thought was out of reach.

Xell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Diploma in Management and Leadership and an MBA.

Xell brings almost 20 years of experience in Employment Services. She started her career coordinating programs in the Department of Economic Development in Councils in Spain to address long-term unemployment, skills shortages, and youth unemployment. She moved to Australia from Barcelona and worked nationally, and internationally (Saudi Arabia and Europe) in leadership roles.

In August this year, Xell was appointed General Manager, Inclusive Employment Australia for AKG. Xell brings almost 20 years of experience in Employment Services since moving to Australia from Spain. She began her career as a trainer before becoming a DES consultant and later stepping into leadership roles.

About AKG / uLaunch (Project Partners)
AKG is an innovative employment, health and wellbeing, education and community services provider. They deliver high-quality employment, health, and education solutions in seven countries and more than 300 locations in Australia, Canada, Italy, Korea, Singapore, Sweden, and the UK.

uLaunch, an AKG brand, helps people with disability, injury and mental health conditions find and keep work that suits their needs and goals. 62.3% of uLaunch's staff identify as living with disability, chronic illness, or injury. This remarkable representation brings an unparalleled level of insight, understanding, and connection to the services they offer participants. By co-creating pathways to meaningful employment, they empower individuals to thrive in their careers, their communities, and beyond.

Panel Host

Peter Tully, Inclusion Consultant, QDN
Peter is a passionate advocate for disability inclusion. His experience encompasses managing an IT business, grassroots campaigning, and policy influence at all levels of government in advisory councils and committees. Peter upholds the advantages of people with disability using technology to achieve true and meaningful employment. This enables the person with disability to feel they are part of society and contributing at their potential.

Peter’s role within the project Inclusivity in Manufacturing Workforce Program focuses on building awareness, strengthening workplace culture, and supporting employers to create inclusive environments where people with disability feel included as team member.

See Peter’s LinkedIn profile here:

Panelists

Ben Noonan, Inclusion Consultant, QDN
Ben is a dedicated advocate for disability inclusion and a passionate athlete in the wheelchair basketball community. He is actively involved with the Gold Coast Rollerblaze Wheelchair Basketball Sports Club, contributing to the team's development and fostering a supportive environment for athletes with disabilities.

In addition to his sporting commitments, Ben volunteers at Sailability Gold Coast where he served as President and various roles on the committee.

He is an active member of the Inclusivity in Manufacturing Workforce Program, an Inclusion Consultant on QDN’s All Abilities JobMatch program, and a co-designer on the Empower Project, the first funded legacy project for Brisbane2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As a public speaker, Ben focuses on motivation, resilience, and disability awareness, sharing his insights to inspire and educate diverse audiences. Through his dual roles in sports, advocacy, and community leadership, Ben strives to create meaningful opportunities for people with disability and to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion in all areas of Society.

Josh Marshall, Inclusion Consultant, QDN
Josh is a qualified access consultant, disability advocate, and educator with a professional background in nursing and a strong passion for building inclusive communities. After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at 23 and becoming a wheelchair user eight years ago, Josh has used both lived experience and formal education to drive systemic change in accessibility and workplace culture.

He holds a Diploma of Access Consultancy and a Master of Disability and Inclusion, alongside a Bachelor of Nursing, a Master of Critical Care, and postgraduate qualifications in chronic disease and diabetes management. Josh also holds a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment and has completed further studies in leadership and management.

Since founding his not-for-profit business, Inclusion Access, in 2018, Josh has delivered consultancy, education, and keynote speaking across sectors. He works closely with government and community through his roles with QCOSS, the NDIS Community Capacity Building Inclusion Group, and the Toowoomba Regional Council’s RADAC.

Josh Higgins, Operations Manager, Youth Advocacy Center (All Abilities JobMatch Employer)
YAC provides legal and social support for young people in Queensland. YAC’s vision is that all young people in Queensland are empowered to overcome adversity and enjoy fulfilling lives. This includes providing legal advice and representation, social support services, and advocating for systemic change. I am the Operations Manager at YAC which ensures our service delivery staff have the operational support required to provide the best possible to support to young people.

Nicole Walker, Community Development Officer, Play Matters
Founded in 1973, Play Matters Australia supports children and families to build relationships, skills, and confidence through play. We are a national organisation with staff in every state and territory in Australia.

My role is Playgroup Community Development Officer in the South Brisbane and Logan regions. I also facilitate a weekly playgroup for children with diverse or additional needs at Sunnybank Special School, as part of a funded playgroup program called PlayConnect+.

I first met Olivia when she wanted to volunteer at a playgroup in South Brisbane in 2023. We helped Olivia achieve this goal in 2024, when Olivia began volunteering at the Tarragindi playgroup. This year, Olivia also asked if she could undertake the All-Abilities Traineeship with Play Matters. We developed the traineeship around Olivia working alongside me at the Sunnybank PlayConnect+ playgroup.

Panel Host

Cassie Brophy, proud Yir Yorant woman of the Kowanyama region, CEO, mob4mob
Senior Strategic Leader and Advisor with expertise across a wide portfolio of strategy, customer service, and business areas. Dynamic and highly motivated Community and Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator with significant years of experience engaging and building relationships with government agencies, organisations, and community. I have consistently pursued roles that empower me to showcase my commitment to navigating challenging situations, with a central emphasis on prioritising people at the core of the challenges.

About Mob4Mob
We are an organisation founded by blackfellas with a disability. Mob 4 Mob are guided by the definition of ‘disability’ as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

Aunty Paula Wootton and Mr Byron Albury welcome you to Mob 4 Mob. Aunty Paula and Byron are our Co-Chairs. The reason we have Co-Chairs is that at Mob 4 Mob we believe in doing things ‘proper way’. This means that we include men’s business and women’s business perspectives in our decision making.

Mob 4 Mob is the peak body here in Queensland for First Nations Mob with a Disability, their family, friends, and Carers. The idea of such a network came about when a small group of supporters and passionate people got together and registered Mob 4 Mob as a charitable organisation in March of 2023. One of the things we really want to do is bring people together. By having yarn-ups, meetings and holding community events we will listen to your stories and experiences. Then ‘proper way’ we’ll take your stories to the Government and start up a real conversation about how we can change things for the better.

With our dedicated Board of Community Elders, Respected Persons and Committee Advisors we are planning on being here for the long haul. We come to you with with a wealth of professional and lived experience in blackfella disability business.

Panelist

Alvin Hava lives and work on Kalkadoon land, General Manager / Corporation Secretary, Mithangkaya Nguli Young People Ahead Youth & Community Services Indigenous Corporation
Alvin has worked for over 30yrs in Social Welfare Development, Health and Education/Training in both Government and Non-Government agencies, as well as Private Sector Institutions. Go Getter and Advocate for the most marginalised and disadvantaged in our society. Supporting Human Rights and empowering Individuals and Communities to grow, prosper and reach their full potentials.

Culturally and spiritually grounded with decades of investment bestowed from community Elders and Custodians to Country. Deeply aware of differences within the Work and Community environment as well as being a natural born leader and change agent that can activate and motivate others to succeed and for the greater good for self and others.

About Mithangkaya Nguli YPA
The mission of Young People Ahead is to promote, support and advocate for young people, their families and the community, whilst also developing and sourcing funds to address Housing, Community Safety, Education, Training and Employment, whilst strengthening Social Inclusion of those marginalised, disadvantaged and disengaged from mainstream society and fostering a return to an environment they feel safe in, cared for and one this is full or opportunities.

To learn more about the JobMatch All Abilities Program, please visit this link: https://qdn.org.au/all-abilities-project-2025/

All Abilities JobMatch Showcase

About the All Abilities JobMatch Showase

Video 1:

Building Employer Confidence to Employ and Retain People with Disability

Video 2:

Working Together: Providers, Employers & Employees for Disability Inclusion in the Workplace

Video 3 (Panel 1):

Workplace Disability Inclusion in Practice

Video 4 (Panel 2):

Workplace Inclusion in Practice for First Nations People with Disability